1. a. As used in this act, “law enforcement agency” means a State, interstate, municipal, or county law enforcement agency; a law enforcement agency of an educational institution that appoints law enforcement officers pursuant to P.L.1970, c.211 (C. 18A:6-4.2 et seq.); or any other department, division, bureau, commission, board, or other authority of this State or political subdivision thereof which employs law enforcement officers.

b. Prior to appointing an applicant who was previously employed by another law enforcement agency in this State, every law enforcement agency shall request the files, including but not limited to internal affairs and personnel files, of the applicant from each law enforcement agency that employed the applicant. Any confidential internal affairs files received by the law enforcement agency that requested them shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to any other party.

c. Every law enforcement agency that receives a request pursuant to subsection b. of this section shall provide the applicant’s files to the law enforcement agency that requested them.

d. Any provision of a contract entered into following the effective date of this act that would prohibit a law enforcement agency from providing files, including but not limited to internal affairs and personnel files, to another law enforcement agency pursuant to this section shall be deemed against public policy and unenforceable.

e. The Attorney General shall issue or amend guidelines or directives necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.

L.2020, c.52.